During his 1973 visit to Utah, Messiaen noted not only bird songs, as was his custom, but also the colors of the rocks, which guided his imagination for this work.
Composition History
Messiaen accepted a commission from Alice Tully five years in advance to write a piece for the 1976 US bicentennial, eventually finding inspiration in the canyon territory of southern Utah.
Recording & Production
This studio recording relates to a performance of the work given by the Utah Symphony fifty years after Messiaen's visit, in the canyons and under the stars.
Compositional Technique
Messiaen associated specific musical keys with colors: A major is always blue, representing the sky and heaven, while E major is the orange-red of rocks and blazing certainty.
Instruments
The solo horn in this work uses techniques from its entire history, including hunting calls, melodies, and pitch waverings achieved by half-raising or lowering keys.
Album & Artwork
The front illustration for this album, titled 'Interstellar call', was created in 2022 by Christina Eve.
Compositional Technique
Messiaen invented a 'geophone' for this piece: a large flat drum filled with lead beads and rotated to create a sound like shifting sand.
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